I'll eat you up; I love you so! *

(Joining with SouleMama, photography by papa)

* from "Where the Wild Things Are"

this and that

these days, I'm...

- loving the look of the weather forecast for the foreseeable future. Sunny 70s? Yes, please!

- SLEEPING.THROUGH.THE.NIGHT (a little early morning milk-snack at 5:30, but he goes back to sleep for an hour or two. I'll take it!)

- chasing the boy, trying to keep him out of danger. Iron fireplace stokers? large dust bunnies? small esophagus-sized stones? wires? steep stairs? trying to dive head first off of beds? Yes, these are some of his favorites. :/

- walking around the house in heels, I need to practice before the wedding!! (Sorry, Katie. Your Matron of Honor is totally going to trip down the aisle. classy, I know.)

- setting up the school-wide art show for my elementary school kiddos; hoping I get it all done in time

- gearing up for the last art projects of the school year (crazy!!)

- trying to arm my friend Bekah with my favorite projects/tips/tricks before she leaves to teach art to kids in Thailand

- thankful for sweet gifts from Rwanda; tea, a colorful animal-mobile, batiks

- smitten with "spring Brian"

- planning and preparing for the first service of our new church plant, working with the creative arts team to create a beautiful and welcoming space (won't you join us?)

Jon and Sarah

Tis the season of love in the McKenna family!  Not only is my sister Katie getting married next week (!!), but my brother also recently got engaged to his fiance, Sarah. Last weekend we walked around the neighborhood to shoot some engagement photos. 

It started out all well and good....

...until Jonny decided to take the reins and insist that I take photos of them with all of the high schoolers taking their prom shots on the Salem Common. 

Little brothers never change, do they? 

These are his favorites... :)

Congratulations, Jon and Sarah!

felt heart bookmarks

Inspired by this image, I created these simple felt and fabric bookmarks for my moms and grandmoms for a Mother's Day treat.  Depending on the fabrics you use, this could be a perfect gift for Valentine's, Father's Day, Birthdays..whatever! Technically it wouldn't have to be shaped like a heart, either.  As long as it fits on the corner of a book, it would work just fine.  

Note: When you sew the layered fabric hearts on top, make sure not to sew through the bottom heart so you still have a nice pocket for the book page to slip into. 

mother's day blessings

 thankful for-


- my first (baby-out-of-the-womb) Mother's Day!
- breakfast in bed, snuggled with my boys
- love notes, all throughout the day, addressed to "Dearest Mamamamamama", "My Crafty Mommy", "My Cuddle-Worthy Mother" and "My Mother who is also some sort of congenial relation to my Father" and "Thou Whimsically Spirited Mother of Mine". 
- lots of special treats from Brian Levi...a tiny vase, Raspberry Shrub, games to play together, materials to weave baskets and sweetly smelling soap.  
- kind texts, emails, phone calls, hugs, cards and flowers from friends and family. 
- brunch with the Jameses, dinner with the McKennas
- Brian. Because he made me a Mom and helps me every day to be the best mom I can be. 
- Levi. Because he's my son, I love who he is, and he makes me feel like the luckiest Mom in the world. 

light reading

(Joining with SouleMama)

Art Room Diaries: Of late

..some recent work by my middle and high school art students.. 

and there's more where that came from..

Patterned Ink Landscapes

Impressionist Landscapes

Paper Mache Bas Reliefs

Middle School Independent Projects

High School Independent Projects